Book description
A revelatory journey from the tin mines of Cornwall to the gold mountains of Georgia in search of the substances which have both shaped our imagination and imperilled our very existence.The discovery of minerals beneath our feet has transformed our species. Ochre first prompted humans to express themselves in art; tin and copper helped instigate the Bronze Age and later the Industrial Revolution; silver kick-started the engines of global trade. Each of these substances generated a leap forward in technology, each one opened the imagination a little further - and each one brought with it a cache of unexpected dangers.Under A Metal Sky begins and ends in Philip Marsden's homeland of Cornwall, one of the world's great geological hotspots. Travelling eastwards into Europe, he examines how the extraction of peat propelled the Netherlands to world prominence but also imperilled its very existence. Continuing on up the Rhine by barge, into the heart of the continent, he uncovers more stories of potent and tempting resources, from iron-rich meteorites to radium and mercury, and the gold-bearing mountains of Georgia. At the same time he explores precious seams of ideas, from science to alchemy, mysticism to ecology - and those questing souls who pursued them, like Paracelsus, the Habsburg Emperor Rudolf II, Goethe, William Blake and Marie Curie.Rich with revelations, Under A Metal Sky traces the dazzling achievements and dark consequences of our ability to extract what we want from the earth, and presents a fascinating new perspective on European history and on our troubled relationship with the natural world.
Daffy Neo
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Ember Master
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Green Scavenger
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Alley Fiend
This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️
FLAK Angel
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Wildcat Appaloosa
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Acid Queen
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Flash Protein
I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner.
Runway Darling
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
Ladybird
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Mafia Princess
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
California Goddess
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
General Finish
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks a breeze. The smooth playback and intuitive interface are unmatched.
Demo
I've never been so excited about my daily commute – thanks to this app. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs.
CloudFrenzy
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Zero Corn
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Intimidating Presence
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. As someone who listens to audiobooks daily, I can confidently say ListenBook is the best player out there. The sleep timer and auto-rewind features are lifesavers, and the sound quality is exceptional. Thank you for such a great app!
Apex
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. This app has become my ultimate travel companion, ensuring that I'm always entertained and inspired. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience